Texas/Map features
This page is a supplement to Map Features that describes how to map in Texas. Whereas Map Features and other pages in the Key: and Tag: namespaces of this wiki offer general advice that applies globally, this page describes tagging conventions that are peculiar to Texas in OpenStreetMap and offers examples that are familiar to Texas residents.
Roadways
Motorway
A fully divided, grade-separated highway with two or more lanes in each direction and a speed limit of 55 mph or greater. Access is strictly controlled via entrance and exit ramps, with zero access from private or business driveways. Features feeder roads and shoulders. Covers U.S. Interstate Highways and fully grade-separated toll roads or freeways.
Necessary tags
highway=motorwayoneway=*maxspeed=*minspeed=*only when posted.name=*official_name=*for honorary or regional names of motorways.ref=*indicating the road number.lanes=*
Other tags
- On the
way at bridges and overpasses:
bridge=yesbridge:name=*only when a unique name exists.layer=1
- On the way at tunnels:
tunnel=yestunnel:name=*only when a unique name exists.layer=-1
Motorway link
An entrance or exit ramp connecting to a motorway (example signage on the right).
Necessary tags
- On the
node where the exit way leaves:
- On the way branching off:
junction:ref=27Bdestination=Dentondestination:ref=I 35E
Trunk road
A divided highway with a speed limit of 55 mph or greater and no feeder roads. Features limited access with few at-grade crossings; some intersections may be controlled by traffic signals, and occasional private or business driveways are permitted. Usually includes shoulders. Typically covers major U.S. Highways.
Necessary tags
highway=trunkoneway=yesmaxspeed=*minspeed=*only when posted.name=*loc_name=*if the road has a local name where it passes through a town.ref=*indicating the road number.lanes=*
Other tags
- On the way at bridges and overpasses:
bridge=yesbridge:name=*only when a unique name exists.layer=1
- On the way at tunnels:
tunnel=yestunnel:name=*only when a unique name exists.layer=-1
Trunk link
Tagged as highway=trunk_link. An entrance or exit ramp connecting to a trunk road. This includes sweeping right-turn lanes that bypass main intersections, as well as median crossovers used to reverse direction on a divided highway.
Primary road
A highway that serves as a main thoroughfare or links larger cities, and does not meet any higher roadway criteria. It acts as a business route through cities, where it may be multi-lane and feature numerous commercial businesses. It is a highly busy and important road, carrying a speed limit of 55 mph or greater, except in urban areas. In rural stretches, it typically has shoulders or breakdown lanes. This category covers State Highways.
Necessary tags
highway=primaryoneway=yesonly when appropriate.maxspeed=*minspeed=*only when posted.name=*- Template:Loc name if the road has a local name where it passes through a town.
ref=*indicating the road number.lanes=*
Other tags
Secondary road
Important arterials linking smaller cities or connecting urban neighborhoods to primary networks. Typically hard-paved, striped, and 45–55+ mph, they feature two or more lanes per direction (divided or undivided) with traffic-signal controlled crossings and few stop signs. Shoulders are optional. Covers major city thoroughfares, urban freeway feeder/frontage roads, and standard rural Farm-to-Market roads connecting smaller towns.
Necessary tags
highway=secondaryoneway=yesonly when appropriate.maxspeed=*name=*loc_name=*if the road has a local name where it passes through a town.ref=*indicating the road number.lanes=*
Other tags
Tertiary road
Minor local collectors that link residential areas or small settlements to the secondary and primary networks. Typically hard-paved, striped, and 55 mph (reduced in towns). They are less busy with fewer commercial businesses. Covers minor rural Farm-to-Market roads, collector streets in cities, and local two-lane connecting roads.
Necessary tags
highway=tertiaryoneway=yesonly when appropriate.maxspeed=*name=*loc_name=*if the road has a local name where it passes through a town.ref=*indicating the road number.lanes=*
Other tags
Minor or unclassified road
Minor, low-connectivity public roads used for local rural traffic. Typically unstriped (paved or gravel), 30–55 mph, and lacking shoulders. Covers standard County Roads, rural highway feeder/frontage roads, and dedicated U-turn lanes passing under highway overpasses (A.K.A. the Texas U-Turn).
Necessary tags
highway=unclassifiedoneway=yesonly when appropriate.maxspeed=*if posted.name=*ref=*indicating the road number.lanes=2can be assumed when there is no road striping.
Other tags
surface=compactedused instead of gravel when describing standard gravel roads.- On the way at bridges:
Residential road
Low-speed public roads (35 mph or less) winding through subdivisions and neighborhoods with close-set housing. Often marked with "Children at Play" signs. May occasionally host schools, churches, or minor neighborhood businesses.
Necessary tags
highway=residentialmaxspeed=*if posted.name=*using the spelling found on signageref=*indicating the road number; only if a higher-class road shares the way.
Service road
Minor, low-speed (45 mph or less) roads used for localized vehicular access to properties. They are narrow, lack shoulders, and are usually privately maintained rather than state or county-funded. Covers alleys, business driveways, parking lot aisles, and shared private roads serving a small trailer park or pocket subdivision.
Necessary tags
highway=serviceoneway=yesonly when appropriate.maxspeed=*only if posted.name=*- Access restrictions:
Other tags
amenity=parkingfor parking
areas.service=parking_aislepasses between parking spots; not for through traffic.amenity=fuelfor gas station areas.service=drivewayleads to a specific property.service=alleyruns between properties or to rear entrances.service=emergency_accessfor police turnarounds on motorways.service=drive-through
Track or land-access road
Used for non-public access to farm land. Not maintained or paved, no street name or addresses. Unimproved forest roads. May require off road vehicle depending on weather conditions.
Necessary tags
History
- For objects and features from history that no longer exist, please consider https://openhistoricalmap.org/.
- To identify an object/feature of historic interest, use
historic=*.
National Register of Historic Places
There are 3,000 historic properties and districts in Texas that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The NHRP wiki page describes how to tag historical places.
Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. The commission identifies Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and recognizes them with Official Texas Historical Marker medallions and descriptive plaques, State Archeological Landmarks and Historic Texas Cemeteries. The commission also operates the over 13,000 historical markers throughout the state of Texas.
The agency also maintains the online Texas Historic Sites Atlas featuring more than 300,000 site records, including data on Official Texas Historical Markers and National Register of Historic Places properties in Texas.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) is a legal designation and the highest honor the state can bestow on a historic structure. The Texas Historical Commission awards RTHL designation to buildings that are judged worthy of preservation based on architectural and historical merit.
Official Texas Historical Markers
The purpose of Official Texas Historical Markers, which are available in a variety of types (cemetery, building, subject) and sizes, is to educate the public about the history of the world around them. The reference numbers are all available on the Historic Sites Atlas linked above.
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